Bin There, Done That

New TSA Screening Procedures May Be on the Way

If the tediousness of airport security riles you up, you might want to take a seat for this news, as more changes to the screening process could be on the way. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Transportation Security Administration plans to change policy around baggage screening. Specifically? The new rules would include requiring travelers to remove all food and electronics larger than cell phones from carry-on bags and move them into separate security bins, similar to how laptops are currently screened.

At present, the measures are being tested at ten U.S. airports including Los Angeles International, Boston’s Logan International, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, with plans to eventually expand the policy nationwide after screeners have been fully trained. The agency said it had no immediate plans to roll out the new screening procedures at all airports, according to the New York Times. PreCheck passengers will not be affected.

Despite the flood of news surrounding potential policy change, TSA officials say these new screening procedures have been in the works for two years, and are unrelated to the recent electronics ban; rather, they are part of continuously developing counterterrorism and efficiency efforts. Given that passengers are packing their carry-ons to the brim, TSA officials say, it can often take longer to discern what’s a threat—and what’s not. By removing items from bags, the agency says, its screeners can scan items more quickly and reduce the number of manual bag checks.